http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincitie ... 540183.htm

BY BILL SALISBURY
Pioneer Press

Starting the election year with a politically charged issue, Gov. Tim Pawlenty today announced a series of proposals to crack down on illegal immigration.

Pawlenty said at a Capitol press conference that illegal aliens are committing many crimes involving drugs, human trafficking and false identification documents.

"This proposal… is not about being anti-immigrant," he said. "To be anti-immigrant is really to be anti-American…. I am a strong supporter of immigration."

But the immigration system must be legal, reasonable and orderly, he said. "Illegal immigration is undermining public support for legal immigration."

The Republican governor said his proposal stems from concerns he has heard from law enforcement agents and local elected officials about criminal activities related to illegal immigrants are becoming increasingly serious.

But Democrats had predicted in recent weeks that Pawlenty would use illegal immigration as a wedge issue to emotionally arouse his conservative base as he seeks re-election later this year.

Polls show the public is angry about illegal immigration. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released today showed four in five Americans think the federal government isn't doing enough to prevent illegal aliens from entering the country, and 56 percent believe illegal immigrants are doing more harm than good for the nation.

Pawlenty insisted his proposals were not driven by polls. He proposed:

Creating a Minnesota Illegal Immigration Enforcement Team of 10 state law enforcement officers who would be trained to question, detain and arrest suspected illegal immigrants.

Passing a state law pre-empting St. Paul, Minneapolis and other cities from having "sanctuary laws" that prevent local police officers from inquiring about immigration status or enforcing immigration laws.

Enacting new and increased penalties for creating, possessing or selling false identification documents. Possession of a false document would be punishable by up to a year in jail, and creating or obtaining fake IDs could result in a 5-year prison sentence. This law would apply to minors, as well as illegal immigrants.

Increasing prison sentences for human trafficking when the victims are under age 18.

Making permanent a state rule that requires non-citizens' immigration status to appear on their Minnesota drivers licenses.

Requiring law enforcement officers to record the country of citizenship and immigration status of suspects arrested for serious crimes. This would enable the state to keep better track of illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

Imposing fines of up to $5,000 on employers who knowingly recruit or hire illegal immigrants. In addition, employers that employ illegal immigrants would be barred from receiving state contracts.

After announcing his plan in St. Paul, Pawlenty was scheduled to fly to Rochester, Mankato, Worthington, St. Cloud and Moorhead for press conferences on his immigration initiatives.